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Articles by Rod Dixon
Mangaia’s flying fox dilemma hanging in the balance
Saturday 19 September 2026 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, In Depth A roost of flying-foxes (photo – the Natural Heritage Trust's Cook Islands Biodiversity and Ethnobiology Database)/ 26091803 A brief reopening of the island’s rā‘ui on flying foxes (bats) has renewed an old question: how can Mangaia protect the moā kirikiri while sustaining it as a valued food source? Rod Dixon writes.
Cook Islands’ golden age of cinema remembered in new book
Saturday 30 May 2026 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Art, Entertainment, Features The Royal Hall at Taputapuatea – a cinema and dance hall built by Willie Browne and Henri Rey in 1913. It was demolished by a cyclone in 1943 and rebuilt as the Victory Theatre the following year. 26052901 A new book is shedding light on the remarkable rise – and gradual decline – of movie-going culture in the Cook Islands, where cinemas once played a central role in island life, writes Rod Dixon.
Keia Puna launches ambitious five-year plan focused on water, health and self-reliance
Saturday 4 April 2026 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Local, National, Outer Islands The kavana of Keia, Junior Harry (front row, second from right) and the Mangaia Island mayor, Makitua Tutai (centre) at the launch of the Keia Puna Plan (Photo – Pam Steele)/26040216 A district in the Pa Enua has launched a comprehensive 2026–2030 strategic plan focused on achieving community self-reliance through collective action in water security, agricultural revival, environmental stewardship and...
The architects of the Word- Who really translated Te BibiliaTapu Ra?
Saturday 21 February 2026 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Church Talk, Features, Weekend The reformatted Bibilia Tapu (Cook Islands Māori Bible) will be officially dedicated on February 28, 2026, in Auckland, New Zealand. SUPPLIED/26021215 The translation of the Cook Islands Māori Bible, Te Bibilia Tapu Ra, relied heavily on the contributions of Rarotongan scholars and their mastery of the language’s complexities, writes Rod Dixon.
Stephen Savage’s Rarotongan dictionary goes online
Tuesday 12 August 2025 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Local, National, Weekend An online version of the “A Dictionary of the Māori language of Rarotonga” (“The Savage Dictionary”) was launched in Auckland last Friday as part of the celebration of Cook Islands Language Week. The launch took place at Te Ipukarea Research Institute, Auckland University of Technology in the presence of the Cook Islands Consul-General, Keu Mataroa.
60 years on: Is it time to re-visit Papa Arapati’s ‘big government’ economics?
Saturday 2 August 2025 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Memory Lane Market economics has failed the majority of outer islands. Do we abandon the islands – or a failed economic model? Rod Dixon asks. The Cook Islands economy is a hybrid economy that operates outside the traditional capitalist framework.
Cook Islands at 60: Do we really need New Zealand aid?
Saturday 21 June 2025 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Economy, Editorials, National, Opinion As the Cook Islands marks six decades of self-government, a critical question lingers: Does our booming economy still need foreign aid? The answer may lie in the fine print of a decades-old agreement, writes Rod Dixon. As the Cook Islands marks six decades of self-government, a critical question lingers: Does our booming economy still need foreign aid?
New book chronicles the legacy of ‘Pacific icon’ Marjorie Crocombe
Saturday 22 February 2025 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Memory Lane, Weekend A new book, Marjorie Crocombe – e va’ine toa, e rangatira, honours the extraordinary life and contributions of Marjorie Tua’inekore Tere Crocombe. It will be launched on Tuesday, 25 February 2025, at 11am at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Cook Islands campus. All are warmly welcomed.
Whyte’s journey of service
Saturday 25 January 2025 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Weekend During his nine-year tenure as Mangaia’s executive officer, Anthony Whyte, improved essential services, revitalised community infrastructure and enhanced the quality of life for island residents, leaving a lasting positive impact, writes Rod Dixon. In 1998, Anthony Whyte, an Australian electrician, landed on Mangaia, the southernmost of the Cook Islands, to find a community grappling with economic “transition”.
Mangaia’s ‘ringed web of caves’ offers rich geological and historical treasures
Saturday 21 September 2024 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, In Depth, Memory Lane, Weekend A team of American cave explorers estimate there may be hundreds of caves yet to be explored on Mangaia in what one team member describes as ‘a ringed web of caves’ rich in geological and historical interest, including evidence of pre-historic exploration, writes Rod Dixon.
Then, now and forever British’: The mystery of Mangaia’s Victoria flag
Saturday 3 August 2024 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Memory Lane, Weekend A Pilot Jack, with Queen Victoria’s head painted on the hoist, has become a symbol of office for successive chiefs of Mangaia. Following annexation by New Zealand the flag also became a symbol of the islanders’ resistance to colonial rule and their determination to retain sovereignty over their lands, writes Rod Dixon.
‘The tī was coffee’: Mangaia relives its café past
Tuesday 25 June 2024 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Memory Lane, Weekend If you think sipping lattes is a sign of Ponsonby-style modernity – think again. Mangaia was doing it a century ago, writes Rod Dixon. From the late 19th century, through to the 1940s, every Mangaian village had their own tī-house – only the tī was coffee.
New book explores impact of Christianity on Mangaia
Saturday 8 June 2024 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Church Talk, Features, Memory Lane Mangaia accepted Christianity 200 years ago this month.
‘The Aitutaki secret …’ How canoes evolved (and almost sank) for sailing - Cook Islands News
Saturday 9 March 2024 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Weekend The design of Cook Islands vaka has changed so much over the years that it’s difficult to speak of a ‘traditional canoe design’ as the Aitutaki canoe demonstrates, writes Rod Dixon. The design of Cook Islands vaka has changed so much over time that it becomes difficult to speak of a ‘traditional canoe design’.
Colourful tattoos, decorated canoes: Captain Bligh’s account of Aitutaki
Saturday 3 February 2024 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Memory Lane, Weekend Captain Bligh made two visits to Aitutaki and left unique accounts of their vaka and tattooing, writes Rod Dixon. William Bligh accompanied Captain Cook on Cook’s third and fatal voyage to the Pacific, passing through the Cook Islands in April 1777 as master of the “Resolution”, calling at Manuae, Mangaia, and Palmerston.
Karioi – the pleasure months - Cook Islands News
Saturday 2 December 2023 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, Memory Lane There was a time when Cook Islanders lived and worked in closer harmony with the seasons and enjoyed significantly more leisure time. Summer holidays lasted several months during which young people dedicated themselves to pleasure. By Rod Dixon.
The Scottish kumete from Atiu via Tahiti
Saturday 14 October 2023 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Art, Features, Weekend Standing in the middle of the Grand Gallery of the Edinburgh Museum is the largest kumete in the world. But how did it get there, asks Rod Dixon. Prominently displayed in the Grand Gallery of the Edinburgh Museum, in Scotland, is an impressively large canoe-shaped object that has its origins in the Cook Islands, and specifically on Atiu.
Wheel of Fortune?: The‘revolutionary’ invention that was born on Rarotonga
Saturday 9 September 2023 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Art, Features, Memory Lane For two decades Rarotonga was home to the inventor Henri Rey who partnered with local resident William McBirney to form the Rey Wheel Company of Detroit, Michigan. Story by Rod Dixon and Allan Tuara. Many Cook Islanders will be familiar with the family name McBirney.
Christianity brought new hope, new dreams and new prosperity
Saturday 12 August 2023 | Written by Rod Dixon | Published in Features, In Depth, Weekend Historian and author Howard Henry has been fascinated by the birth of Christianity in the Cook Islands for many years. In a weekly series, Henry chronicles the arrival of Christianity to the Cook Islands and its role in building the nation. In his final article, he talks about the impact of Christianity in the Cook Islands. The first island to receive the Gospel and the Christian faith was Aitutaki.
‘Ueata – catching shadows: Early photography in the Cook Islands - Cook Islands News
Photography came relatively early to the Cook Islands thanks to some missionary amateurs. The Mangaians had a word for it – ‘ueata, “capturing shadows”, writes Rod Dixon. The first camera as we know it, was invented in 1839 when the French printmaker Louis Daguerre demonstrated the process of capturing and retaining permanent images by combining light and chemistry on a durable surface. This was known as a “daguerreotype” and subsequently a “photograph”.
Pauline McLynn brings Courage to Red Ladder's fiftieth birthday
Red Ladder, which bills itself as “Britain’s leading radical theatre company”, this year celebrates its fiftieth anniversary, tracing its roots back to the left-wing agitprop theatre of the 1960s. To celebrate, instead of its usual fare of new political writing, it has turned to Brecht’s , which artistic director Rod Dixon has staged as a promenade production in a warehouse in Leeds featuring Pauline McLynn (Mrs Doyle in classic sitcom Father Ted) in the title role.
The Cook Islands that vanished?
If historical sources are to be believed, at least three islands in the Cook Islands have vanished into thin air. One of these, Tuanaki, is said to have submerged with all its occupants, as recently as 1842. By Rod Dixon. A Tahitian trader, Edward Lucett in Rovings in the Pacific from 1837-49 reported that people on Mauke spoke of an island called ‘Narurotu’ of which they no longer knew the location.
Rowe Group Builds Team to Tackle North-East Corridor
Rowe Group Town Planners and Urban Designers are experts in taking large scale projects through from initial concept to completion, however their extensive work in Perth’s rapidly growing north-east corridor has demanded an even more specialised approach. The Group recently celebrated 30 years in the industry and is the name behind some of the state’s most iconic projects like the Raffles Hotel Redevelopment in Applecross and creation of the Port Bouvard residential estate.
Marjorie Tua’inekore Crocombe – An Exceptional Life | Loop PNG
Marjorie Tua’inekore Crocombe (née Hosking) was born in 1930 in Rarotonga, the youngest of 11 children of Dr. Rupert and Vaevae Hosking of Titikaveka. Marjorie was educated at Titikaveka Primary School (1936-44) and in 1944 won a Maui Pomare scholarship to finish her secondary schooling in New Zealand, initially at Epsom Girls Grammar School (1945-6) and later at Whanganui Girls College where she became the first Polynesian Head Prefect (1947-50).
Marjorie Tua’inekore Crocombe - An exceptional Pacific life
By Rod Dixon in the Cook Islands News Marjorie and Ron Crocombe lived up to exacting standards in their personal and professional lives and their combined efforts impacted and inspired uncountable others. We were privileged to know them. Marjorie Tua’inekore Crocombe (née Hosking) was born in 1930 in Rarotonga, the youngest of 11 children of Dr Rupert and Vaevae Hosking of Titikaveka.
‘Akatara from Cook Islands on exhibit in Venice - Cook Islands News
Above - From left – the second, third and fifth items on display are Cook Islands’ ’akatara. 21121047 An exhibition in Venice exploring the sculptural beauty of command clubs from Oceania, including the Cook Islands, has inspired a Rarotongan experiment to discover how ancient weapons obtain their beautifully finished surfaces. The Palazzo Franchetti in Venice is currently hosting an exhibition entitled Power & Prestige: the Art of Clubs in Oceania.
Earthquakes and tsunamis – the Cook Islands experience - Cook Islands News
A tsunami evacuation sign in Rarotonga. TRAVEL TOUR GUIDE/21102942 What does history tell us about the frequency of earthquakes and tsunami in the Cook Islands? What does history tell us about the frequency of earthquakes and tsunami in the Cook Islands? To continue reading this article and to support our journalism CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE NOW for as little as $11 per month.
World Wide Web Anniversary Today - Expert Commentary
When Tim Berners-Lee utilised the internet to launch the World Wide Web (WWW) in the public domain 28 years ago today, he could not have foreseen the broadscale adoption and use of either, or the software-based reality of the world today. Core business applications were rapidly transitioning to SaaS-based solutions like Salesforce, Microsoft Office 365, Zoom, Slack and other vertical-specific applications even before the pandemic. The shutdowns of the past year have accelerated this .....
Pauline McLynn brings Courage to Red Ladder's fiftieth birthday
Red Ladder, which bills itself as “Britain’s leading radical theatre company”, this year celebrates its fiftieth anniversary, tracing its roots back to the left-wing agitprop theatre of the 1960s. To celebrate, instead of its usual fare of new political writing, it has turned to Brecht’s Mother Courage and her Children, which artistic director Rod Dixon has staged as a promenade production in a warehouse in Leeds featuring Pauline McLynn (Mrs Doyle in classic sitcom Father Ted) in the title role.
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